Motor-driven buck rake



E. W. REED.

MOTOR DRIVEN BUCK RAKE.. APPLICATloN men 1AN.5, 192'1.

1,424,943, PatentedAug. 8, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Emea@ E. W. REEDQ- MOTOR DRIVEN BUCK RAKE.

APPLlCATON FILED MN. 5, 1'921. y

Patented Aug. 8, M22.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. W.v REED.

MOTOR nRrvEN ucK RAKE.

' Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- APPLICATION FILED JAN.'5,1921.

xml... AW

I zen ofthe United States,'residing at Sunny- EARL W. REED, OF SUNNYSIDE, WASHINGTON.

Moron-niaivnn BUCK BAKE.

Specification ot Letters Patent. Patgnted Aug; 8, 1922 Appiication inea January 5, i921.4 sei-iai ne. 435,130.k

T0 all 'whom it may concern/1,.'

Be it known that I, EARL YW. REED, a cit-ig side, in the county of Yakima and State of l/Vashington, have invented certain'new and vuseful Improvements in a Motor-Driven Buck Rake, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to improvements in buck rakes of the type designed for operationvby farm tractors and more particularly tothe style ofrake disclosed in my Patent :tt-1,384,919, granted July 19, 192i.

The principal object of. the presentl improvement resides in the loose mounting of the rake relative to the lmain supporting frame s o as vto accommodate the necessary upward tilting of the front extremities of the rake tines and also to provide for limited relative movement of the rake relative to the supporting frame structure, such .as is effected when the direction of travel of the tractor is changed.

A further obj ect is the provision of means responsive to the relative movement of the rake and supporting frame structure to. effect the automatic locking of the hangers for the rake supporting wheels, whereby when the tractor is moving rearwardly the Supporting wheel hangers are locked in adjusted position and prevented from swinging to either side. z

A still further object is to provide means for effecting suoli relative adjustment of the.

main supporting frame an'd the rake as will chan-ge the position of the rake tines when lyingl on the ground and thus permit they tractor and rake to more readily chan-ge the direction of their travel.

A further object isthe provisionof a coulinomember between the movable rake and #D the tractor constituting1 a moving` or propelling means for the rake supplemental to the lmain frame structure and which is so constructed as to accommodate .such relative movement of the rake and tractor as is necessary in traversing irregular ground.

A still further object resides in the provision of means adapted to coact with one of the tractor drive wheel spokes for utiliz! ing the movement of the latter in effecting the automatic elevation of the points of the tines for maintaining the latter in such elevated position above the. gronnd'as tol avoid the latter.

lith these and other objects in view, the inventiongconsists in certain novel features.

of construction as hereinafter shown and described, and specifically pointed out inl the claims.

In the accompanyingv drawings:

kFigure l represents a top plan view,`

partly broken'away of the .motor driven buck rake. l A

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

IFig. '3 represents a fragmentary top plan view of the invention, illustrating theV means for coaction with the spokes of one of the tractor drive wheels foreifecting the automatic elevationof the rake tines. i

Fig. 4 is a side elevation ofy the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 3, the adjacent vtractordrive wheel being removed and indicated kby dotted lines, 'y l Fig. 5 represents a perspective view of the spoke actuated lever removed from the tractor. i

Fig. 6l is an enlarged fragmentarysection on the lineUG-G of Fig. l. l

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary rear `elevation of one Set of supporting wheels for the rake,

a `fragment of the latter being illustratedfk y l' Fig. 8 represents an enlarged fragmentary sectionalr view through the rear connecting bar of the rake and the adjacent extremity ofv one of the actuating rods therefor.

I F ig.l 9Vrepresents a fragmentary perspective view of the supplemental coupling between the rake and tractor.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 indicates generally the main supportingv frame structure which` includes rearwardly converging side members 6 and front and rear connecting members7 and 8 which connect the front and rear extremities of the side members 6, respectively. The front frame member 7 is connected with the front portions of the side members 6 by diagonal brace rods 9.

Whereas the rear frame member 8 is prol vided with brackets l0 for attachment to the differential gear case, ll or other part of supported upon the ground engaging wheels carried by the rake,` whichr latter will be hereinafter more fully described.

The tractor illustrated in the accompanying drawing is of the type wherein the drive wheels 13, are located at the rear, the dis varied by proper adjustment of the front wheels 14 controlled by a steering wheel 15.

Forwardly extending yokes 16 are rigidly connected with the front terminals ofthe frame members 6 and receive the terminal portions of the front frame member 7,'to

` which latter the yokes are rigidly connected.

The yokes 16 are substantially U-shaped and are so arranged that the web portions thereof are disposed in spaced relation to the l front trame member 7 thus providing a horizontal opening therethrough accommodating thevv rear connecting member 17 extending transversely acrossv and connecting the rear extremities of lthe rake tines 18.

The open portions of the yolres 16 are of.

such size as to accommodate oscillating movement ofthe rake bar 17 to permit the front extremities of the tines 18 to have a limited vertical movement from the ground upwardly to approximately the position shown in F ig. 2 and also to permit the rake bar 17 to move forwardly a limited distance from the frame member 7.

Forwardly `of the rake bar 17 ,"the tines 18 are connected by a front bar 20 provided with vertical pivot pins 21 on opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof pivotally receiving the horizontally disposed hangers 22 on which the bearing member 23 is pivv otally supported. Each bearing member 28 supports an axle 24y carrying ground engaging wheels 25 arranged intermediate the' front and rear. rake vbars 2O and 17 and sup porting the rear portion of the rake in a predetermined position above the ground. vThe pivotal mounting of the hangers 22 on the pivot pins 21 readily permit said hangers to turn according to the change oi direction of travel or" the tractor 12, resistance to the swinging movement ot the rear extremities of the hangers being minimized by the utilization of rollers 24at arranged to travel upon traclr rails 25a curved concentrically with the'pivotal pins 21 of the hangers 22.

' A locking plate 26 is pivotally mounted at its'opposite vextremities 27 on opposite sides of each pivoted hanger 22 and is curved substantially concentric to the track rail 25a, the top edge of the retaining plate 26 being provided with a series of notches 28 adapted wardly over a drive pulley 32 secured tothe u vment with the framel member 7` permitting rection of movement of the tractor beingv the lower extremity ofthe flexible-memberI 81y to descend to such position'- as to disengage the notches of the retaining plate 26 from the rear terminal of each hanger 22, thereby permitting free swinging movement of the hangers relative to the rake structure.

lt will be understood that .when the frame member 7 and rake bar 17 are disposedin abutment with each other, the retaining plates 26 tall vrdownwardly to linoperative `aosition under their own weight; swinging upon the pivots 27. i However when the direction of the tractor is reversed and-the latter is'travelling rearwardly, the rake lags behind the tractor causing the rakefbar 17 to move longitudinally in the yokes 16 away from the frame member 7', thus exerting a longitudinal pull upon the flexible members 31 and elevating the curved plates 26 so as to engage the notches 28 of the latter with the rear terminals vof the hangers 22. In'

The inner extremities of the levers provided upon the tractor 12 and the exf treme rear terminals kof the" actuating elements are provided with handles 41 located conveniently near the driver oit thetractor occupying the sea-t 42. By alternatelyv exerting a longitudinal p'ullfuponthe actuat-v ing elements 39, the lever 87 associated therewith is actuated to produce a `forward,

movement of the rod' 35,' the movement of the rod being transmitted to the rake bar 17 effecting a forward movement of that terminal of the latter with which the actuated rod 35 is connected. ln this manner, either end of the rake may be advanced relative to the other thus effecting a correspondingl movement of the tines when in gronndengaging position and materially assisting in changing the direction of travel lot" 'the vtractor' and rake. y c

The medial portion of a supplemental coupling 45 is connected for pivotal movement on a pin 46 forming the usualequipment of a tractor 12 and the front divergent extremities of the supplemental coupling member 45 are pivotally connected at 47 to supporting-brackets rigidly i secured beneath the rake bar 17. The pivotal ,mounting `of the supplemental coupling member on' the horizontal pinl 16 readily lpermits 'the coupling member to change its position relative tothe tractor during temporary elevation of either set-of .wheels 25 while the pivotal connections 17 between the rake bar 17 and the front 'extremities of the supplementalfcouplingk member accommodate the necessary relative movement of the rake supporting wheels 25 and the wheels of-the tractor 12. c

*Arms 50 are secured to certain of the tines 18 ofthe rake, extend rearwardly and upwardly therefrom. andare connected at their rear extremities with flexible actuating elements 512 Vertical posts 52 are mounted upon the rake structure and suppo-rt a top bar 53l over which braces 54 for the arms 50 are arranged. t

VThewarms 50 are arranged on 'opposite eides'of the drivel wheels 13 of the tractor andthe actuating cables l51`therefor are extended over suitably arranged groups of guide pulleys55 ,disposing the terminals. of the cables ory flexible elements 1n position for connection with an arm 56 carried by the spoke actuated lever 57. A bracketV 58 is adequately supported upon the body of the tractor 12 and the medial portion thereof is curved, as indicated at 59, substantially concentric with the axis of the adjacent drive v wheel 13. An intermediate brace 'for the bracket 58 is connected with the curved portion 59 of the latterwand is attached by a clip 61y toa portion of the drive axle housing of the tractor, as clearly, shown in Fig.

4:. Theflever 57 ispivotally secured at 62 tothe brace 60. The lever 57 is constructed of suchlflexible material as will permit it to beflexed laterally toward the spokes 63 of the adjacentdrive wheel 13 whereby the hookedextremity 64C of the arm 56 embraces a spoke and causes the lever 57 to be swung forwardly in synchronism with the rotation of the drive wheel. The lever 57 is pivoted inwardly ofthe yarm 56 to a second arm 65, the extremity of which is so inclined as to engage behind a roller 66 secured to the bracket Y58 and effect the automatic withdrawal of the-hooked extremity 64 of the arm 56 from the spoke of the drive wheel 13. Coincident with the release of the arm 56 from the spoke Aof 'the wheel, the lever is locked in forwardlyv projected position by a latch member 67 pivotally secured at 68 tothe bracket 58 and normally maintained inoperative position by a spring 69. The spring connected terminal of the latch-is preferably provided with handle 70 for convenience in manipulating of the curved portion of the vbracket 58 by ay contractile spring`71, thus preventing the accidental` engagement of the angular 'extrem-` the lever is limited by the hooked extremity 73 of the bracket 58 and the free end of the lever is so disposed as to'be conveniently grasped by the driver .0f the tractor occupying the seat 4-2 and swung laterally into engagement with the spokes 63 of the drive wheel. l i

In use, the buck rake is propelled as a unit with the tractor 12, the pointed' extremities ofthe tines`18 moving` over the ground andv gathering such material as isdisposed inthe path thereof. As the tractor travels forwardly, the rear rake bar 17 is maintained in abutment with the front frame member 7 and, producingthe necessary slack inthe flexible members 31', the retaining plates 26 descend to inoperative position permitting the ground engaging wheels 25 to swing with the pivoted hangers 22., according to the direction of travel of the tractor. vHowever, when the tractor is driven rearwardly, the supporting wheels 25 for the rake lag behind causing the rear rake bar 17y to be withdrawn from engagement with they front frame member 7, as suggested in dotted lines in Fig. 6, thereby exerting a longitudinal pull onv the flexible members 31 and moving the curved retaining plates 26 to such position as to engage the notches 28 thereof with the extremities of the hangers 22 and'lock the latter in adjusted position. YAs the direction of movement of the tractor fis changed andthe latter again travels forwardly, the rake bar 17 is returned to facial abutment with the frame member 7 and the Ycurved retaining` plates 26 descend to inoperative position. lhen the rake tinesjarein ground engaging position adjustment of the steering vwheel 15 lis made to cause the tractor to take -curve,`and it is preferable to simultaneously Aadjust the actuating" ele- `ments39to cause advancement of thetines at one terminal of the rake relative to those the other end so that the steering effect of the wheels lll is materially assisted when the rake is heavily loaded. ln elevating the rake tines to inoperative position, the operator of the tractor manually disengages the flexible lever 57 from the hooked extremity 73 of the bracket and, moving the lever laterally toward the spokes of the wheel engages the catch 64 of the arm 56 with the wheel spoke causing the lever 57 to be swung forwardly,

the movement of the leverbeing transmitted to' `the vertically movable rake tines through the cables, chains or other'iiexible devices .tion itis simply necessary to actuate the handle "(0 ofthe latch causing the lever engaging terminal v67 thereof to move out or the path, of the lever thereby 'permitting the latter to return to initial position. y

, What is claimed is:

n l; 1n combination, a supporting frame atl tachable to and transportable by a tractor,

a tiltable rake structure kcarried by the frame, and means engageable With a spoke of one of the drive Wheels of the tractor for effecting automatic adjustment of the rake structure. i l j 2. ln combination, a supporting frame attachable to and transportable by a tractor, a rake structure, and kmeans engageable with a moving part, of the tractor for et iecting automatic adjustment of lthe, rake structure relative to the `frame, said means including a flexible lever movable into engagement With the moving part of the tractor. l

3.`ln combination, a supporting frame at-` tachable to and transportable ,by a tractor, a rake structure movably connected with the frame and adjustable relative thereto, and means for adjusting the rake structure, said adjusting means including a flexible lever movable into engagement vvith a* moving .part of the tractor, means for effecting the automatic disengagement of the lever from thetractor, and means 'for locking the lever in adjusted position.

In combinatioma supporting lframe attachable to'and transportablel'by a tractor,

a' tiltable rake structure carried by the iframe, pivoted hangers carried yby the ralre structure, ysupporting'Wheels for the rake structure mounted for movement with the ypivoted hangers for changing the direction of travel of the rake structure,

means orvretaining the hanger in adjusted y position, and means responsive to independa rake structure, means loosely connecting theralre structure and the supporting frame` f and permitting limited relative movement ent movement of the rake structure and `traine incident to rearward movement of the tractor for shifting the retaining means to operative position and maintaining the hangers in adjusted position.

`5. In combination, a supporting frame at-k tacliable to and transportable byla tractor,

thereof, supporting Wheels for the rake structure, hangers connected With the supporting Wheels vand pivotally attached to the` `rake' structure for' accommodatingv .changesintliedirection of'travel of the latter, said rake structure being normally maintained in engagement With thesup-v porting' iframe during orvvarld travel of the tractor,y and means responsive toy relative movement' or the frame andl rake structure incident to "rearward movement of thev tractor for automatically maintaining the hangers in ac ljuste'dposition 6.Y In combination, a supporting frame at'-,v tachable to and transportable by a, tractor, a. rake structure mounted for relative move menton the iframe, ground engaging supf jiiorting wheels for vthe 'rake structure, v'and means Jfor adjustingthe rake structure rela# tive to the frame,"

7. In combination,4 a supporting v.frame at` tachable to and transportable by' a tract-or, a rake structure partially supportedbythe supporting frame and capable of vlimited relative movement withy respect to the frame,

groundv engaging supporting Wheels carried by the rake structure, and'means for ad- 'vancing either extremity of the rake struc- `ture to cause corresponding vadvancement 'of the adjacent ground engaging Wheel and thereby change the direction of travel of the rake structure. v Y 8( ln combination,v a supporting frame attachablecto and transportable by a tractor, g rake 'structure partially carried by the suplporting frame and having movement; relative, thereto, supporting Wheels carried by the rake structure, and manually operable means for alternately advaneingthe opposite ei'rtremiti'es of the rake structure.

9. In combination, a supporting framev attachable to andltransportable by a tractor, a ralre structure mounted Jfor limited move'- ment relative vto thevsupporting `frame and partially supported thereby, hangers'pivotally connected with the rake structure, ground engaging supporting Wheels, mounted on the hangers and arranged beneath the f rake structure, said hangers beingy adapted` to sivingupon their axes during 'forward moveiiientoic the frame andralre structure, means responsive to relative movement of the rake structure and'supportingframe incidentv to rearward movement of the 'pro' peiling tractorLto automatically lockr the hangers in adjusted position, and independently operable meansv lfor alternately advancing the opposite vsidesl of the rake structure relative to the supporting framel 10. In combination, asupporting frame, means Jfor'attaching the rear portion of the 125 latter toa tractor, a tiltable rake structure movably connected With the supporting `trame, ground engaging Wheels carried by the frame structure supporting the latter and the 'n Jiront` extremity 'of the supporting 130 frame, and a supplemental tractor coupling gether with the front portion of the suppivotally connected with the rake structure porting frame, and a supplemental coupling and. engageable with the front portion of a member pivotally connected with the rear tractor. portion of the tiltabie rake structure and 15 ll. In combination, a supporting frame, engagea-ble With the front portion of a means for attaching the rear portion of the tractor for assisting the transportation of frame to the rear portion of a tractor, a the frame and rake structure. tiltuble rake structure movabiy connected In testimony whereof, I affix my'signature with the front extremity of the supporting hereto. i

10 frame, ground engaging Wheels carried by the rake structure supporting the latter to- EARL W. REED. 

